Ch.157157. Family

“When I was young, I used to spend quite a bit of time here.”

Before the meeting scheduled for this evening, Erika and I were looking at the flower beds in the garden where cool air was flowing.

We hadn’t particularly planned to spend time together.

I had just happened to come out to the garden, and Erika was looking at the flowers in the bed, so I simply stood beside her.

“I didn’t really have anything else to do. They didn’t properly teach me magic, nor did they expect anything from me, so I was just left to my own devices.”

“Didn’t you learn magic from your family?”

Since the Bright family was so renowned for magic, I had naturally assumed that Erika’s outstanding skills had originated from her family.

In response to my question, Erika gave a bitter smile.

“I suppose learning by peeking over shoulders in secret still counts as learning. Hmm, actually, it might be more accurate to say I stole it.”

“…”

“I was raised solely for a political marriage. Since they already had a first and second son, they didn’t need to bother with me, a girl.”

She calmly revealed her rather bitter past. I understood those devastating feelings, having experienced family indifference myself.

But Erika was already smiling confidently, as if she had overcome everything.

Her way of living—putting the past behind her, focusing on the present, and doing her best—was as beautiful as the flowers in the garden.

“Thank you for coming to me like this.”

“…”

Erika suddenly revealed her true feelings while endlessly gazing at the flowers, not looking at me.

“No one knows how our relationship will end, but right now, I’m happy that you’re by my side.”

I could clearly feel the sincerity in her words. But her expression didn’t match at all.

“But is this really the time you want?”

Erika slowly turned her gaze from the magnificent flower bed and looked at me. I had been staring intently at her from the beginning.

‘There’s that expression again.’

I’m not sure if Erika herself was aware of it, but she had developed a habit of making a particular expression as she overcame and conquered many challenges throughout her growth.

An expression of overcoming pain, of conquering hardship.

Her brows slightly furrowed, yet she forced a nonchalant expression.

That was exactly her expression right now.

Once again, Erika was overcoming something within herself.

“Is this place really where you should be?”

“…”

I couldn’t think of what to say that would satisfy her. No matter how much I racked my brain, I couldn’t come up with an appropriate response.

I didn’t have the confidence to persuade Erika Bright, who had overcome even her own desires and happiness.

“When I was young, I hated looking at these flowers. It was boring. I wasn’t looking at them because I liked flowers, but because I had nothing else to do.”

Erika added that they were at least worth looking at, then continued firmly.

“But Deus, the time I spend with you is truly enjoyable. Even just standing here looking at flowers together like this.”

Though she said that, I knew there was reproach in her words.

“But you’re not enjoying it.”

“Erika.”

I tried to caution her to stop, but she naturally placed her hand over mine.

“Haha, I guess I really do love you.”

Erika let out a hollow laugh as if finding it absurd, then carefully leaned against my shoulder.

“Your happiness takes priority over my pathetic feelings.”

“…”

“It will take quite some time to travel from Violene to Norsweden. You should leave now.”

Since Violene was in the southern part of the kingdom and Norsweden was in the north, they were on opposite ends. In truth, it was already too late even if I left now.

Findenai would have already crossed the mountains and reached the Republic of Clark.

“Sigh, Erika. Findenai made her own decision.”

I didn’t pursue her because I respected her choice.

“That was her choice, and I showed the minimum mercy by not killing her.”

I don’t know if Findenai was aware, but I had already released her soul.

Though it was a short period, it was my own form of mercy and gift to her who had suffered enough.

It would be absurd to bind the soul of a woman who left to fight for freedom.

She would become completely free on her own.

In the Retry game, there was no mention of the workers in the Republic of Clark finding freedom, but many things had already changed from the game.

The future beyond this point was unpredictable even for me and would depend on Findenai.

“I don’t chase after someone who has chosen to leave.”

“You said you had a plan.”

Despite everything I said, Erika wouldn’t back down.

“Before leaving the academy, you told me you had a plan prepared, though it wasn’t confirmed yet. What was it?”

“It’s nothing special.”

It truly wasn’t anything special.

“I just sent a message to His Majesty through the princess. I told him to keep an eye on the Republic of Clark as something concerning might happen there.”

“…”

“I told Aria to just rest comfortably and not do anything unnecessary. She might cause trouble otherwise.”

“Then… you lied to me?”

I had acted as if I had a plan for Findenai to convince Erika.

“Yes.”

In truth, I had no plans for her whatsoever. If I hadn’t said that, I wouldn’t have been able to convince Erika, who would have kept insisting I go after Findenai.

“Deus!”

Her voice suddenly rose.

Erika gripped my hand tightly, with what almost felt like fear, and said:

“You… you would lie about something like this…”

Erika bit her lip hard. With her head bowed low and trembling, she looked as if she might collapse at any moment.

“Your condition is worse than I thought.”

“Sigh, Erika.”

Though Erika was forcing herself to continue speaking as if swallowing something bitter, I called her name with a sigh.

“I am as I’ve always been.”

At those words, Erika suddenly raised her head. The tears gently forming in her eyes contained many emotions.

“May I interrupt for a moment?”

Just then, Deia and Edwon, the second son of the Bright family, who had been watching us for a while, approached.

I thought it was an odd combination, but the moment she saw them, Erika released my hand and ran toward them.

“Huh? What’s going on?”

Deia was surprised by Erika’s unexpected reaction, while Edwon immediately frowned.

“I apologize, Lord Deus. My younger sister is quite lacking in manners. How foolish. I will educate her.”

“Do not disparage my fiancée so carelessly.”

Before I knew it, I was scolding him, and Edwon immediately bowed his head in apology.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“Hmm, Mr. Edwon? My brother and I have something to discuss, so please excuse us.”

“What? But you just told me to follow you…”

“I said go.”

As Deia snapped irritably and gestured, Edwon had no choice but to retreat with a bewildered expression.

“That’s unexpected.”

When I casually mentioned that I didn’t expect Edwon to come along, Deia answered irritably.

“I was originally going to tell you that he fell in love at first sight and we’re getting married, just to see your reaction…”

She glanced at me, checking my response. Seeing me listening silently, Deia let out a deep sigh.

“Sigh, what was I expecting? He’s probably targeting me because he thinks your engagement might not work out.”

She glanced at me again and frowned.

“What happened? What did that woman say to you?”

“Sigh, Erika is my fiancée. Watch your words.”

“Whatever. It’s not like you’re really going to marry her anyway.”

“…”

When I remained silent instead of answering, Deia seemed anxious and asked again while glancing around.

“You’re not going to, right?”

“…Right.”

Only after I answered did Deia seem somewhat relieved, exhaling deeply and stretching.

“Well, anyway, since that woman is also favorable toward you, this situation seems like it will work out well… but why exactly did you call both Bright and Zeronia together?”

“I needed noble families loyal to the kingdom that I could organically manage from my side.”

Deia shook her head, saying it was boring.

“Yes, I know that. But I’m curious about why you need families that you can manage.”

“…”

That’s Deia for you.

If it were Darius, he would have just accepted it and moved on, but she always has to get to the reason hidden inside.

Just looking at how she investigated the Bright family’s dark secrets before coming to the meeting, I could tell she had been reading my intentions.

Well, with Deia, it might be better to just tell her, and it would be easier to prepare defenses too.

“There’s a black magic organization called Dante.”

“Dante?”

Deia looked puzzled, as if hearing it for the first time.

“They’re guys who have been entangled with me from time to time, and the war in the Great Marias Forest can also be considered their doing.”

“Hmm.”

Realizing it was quite a serious matter, Deia crossed her arms and listened to me, deep in thought.

“Originally, I could roughly predict their actions, but now it’s become difficult to grasp. Since it’s impossible to anticipate how they’ll come at us, I’m just trying to deploy forces that can respond from all directions.”

“Since you’re the only black mage recognized by the kingdom, they’re eyeing you.”

Deia understood immediately. Her thoughts reaching even the parts I hadn’t mentioned, she asked with a subtle expression.

“Then couldn’t you just get help from the royal family? From what I saw last time, you seemed quite close with both His Majesty and the princess?”

“If I did that, it would look like the kingdom was moving at my request.”

“…Ah?”

“The citizens of the kingdom who still have antipathy toward black mages wouldn’t look favorably upon the royal family moving at my word.”

“That’s true.”

I could receive indirect support, but I couldn’t directly ask for help.

The reason I was accepted was only because, on the surface, the relationship between the royal family and me clearly showed who was superior and who was subordinate.

The bishops would probably rush in using civic groups to wage a public opinion war, saying things like “The Spiritmaster has coiled around the royal family.”

“So that’s why you chose the fallen Zeronia and Bright, who still have power despite being on the periphery?”

They have some power but have stepped back from the stage.

After hearing my entire story, Deia wore a smile with subtle satisfaction.

“Mmm, it’s so much better when you explain things like this.”

Perhaps it was because she was within the boundary of family? It was comfortable to talk to Deia about things.

She intentionally didn’t ask about Findenai, probably out of trust and concern for me.

“Family, huh.”

I unconsciously muttered a word. At those words, Deia’s eyes trembled slightly, and an awkward smile appeared.

“Yes, family.”